…says MRD to supervise regional commissions
By Stella Odueme
The Minister of Ministry of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh has highlighted achievements in the Niger Delta region prior to the expansion to the current status as regional development saying that the main mandate is to supervise the regional development Commissions to execute mega projects for the growth and development of the regions.
The Minister who spoke on Friday during the 2025 Ministerial Press briefing in Abuja said that the ministry has completed abandoned projects to advance the lives of the people.
He also cleared insinuations going round of the likely scrap of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) assuring that the commission remains a crucial part of the Bola Tinubu’s government’s regional growth agenda.
“The Ministry of Regional Development, is a new ministry, created on October, 2024 and the creation is more of an expansion of what we have before, which is the Ministry of Niger Delta Development which has been expanded to accommodate new regional commissions that have been created.
“So far, new regional commissions, northwest and southeast, have been created. And it is important to let you know that these two commissions were only inaugurated last week after the board had been constituted by Mr. President. We are also awaiting the conclusion of the other board. So it is only upon the constitution of the other board that our activities will start in earnest in terms of the new mandate of the Ministry of Regional Development,” Momoh explained.
According to Momoh, MRD has a mandate to formulate and execute plans, programmes and other initiatives as well as coordinate the intervention activities of agencies, communities, donors and other relevant stakeholders aimed at fast-tracking regional development in the country.
He identified the achievements as Niger Delta Development in terms of infrastructural development as; road construction, water supply, rural electrification, inland waterways development, and housing and urban development.
“Under the 2023 Appropriation, we implemented six mini-water schemes with a total capacity of 150m3 per day to deliver potable water. This has significantly reduced poverty and improved health and sanitation in the Communities.
“The following projects have been completed: water project in Ogunu Community, Warri South, Delta State; provision of water supply scheme in Owerri Town, Imo State; provision of 1No motorized borehole & overhead tanks & generating sets with 3km radius reticulation in Ndiya Community Nsit Ubium LGA Akwa Ibom State.
“Provision of 1No motorized borehole & overhead tanks & generating sets with 3km radius reticulation in Afia Nsit Atai, Ikot Ewang Akwa Ibom State; and construction of motorized solar borehole for communities in Oguta, Ohaji/Egbema West, Imo State.While in 2024, the following projects have been awarded and are at various stages of completion: 2nos. water schemes, including reticulation at Ugbo in Ilaje LGA Ondo State; and provision of solar powered borehole at Uwheru Village, Ugheli North LGA, Delta State.”
On rural electrification, the Minister said in 2023, the ministry completed the installation of six transformers in some communities in Biase LGA, Cross River State. Obio/Akpor LGA Secretariat, Rumudomaya, Port Harcourt, Eteo In Eleme LGA, Khana LGA, in Rivers State.
“We also completed the installation of 257nos. Solar Streetlights at strategic locations across the States of the Region, such as:Ikot Ukana, Ikot Ide And Abama Communities In Obot Akara L.G.A., Ekpo Ukwak Lane To Park Road In Abak L.G.A. of Akwa Ibom State; Ochochi And Okpodu In Yala LGA, Cross River State;Oghu Community Of Ewohimi, Esan Southeast LGA, Edo State;Orhionmwon LGA, Edo State;Ukana, Essienudim LGA And Nsit Atai LGA Akwa-Ibom ; and Selected Health Centres In Ukelle Yala LGA, Cross River State.”
The Minister disclosed that in the face of dwindling budgetary allocation for carrying out planned activities, the Ministry has adopted the Public Private Partnership (PPP) option towards meeting the infrastructural needs of the Region.
Additionally, he said the Ministry is following up on a request to seek funding intervention for some ongoing road construction projects through the 2025 SUKUK Issuance by the Debt Management Office.
Some of the Projects are; reconstruction of Owerri – Elele Road 35.15Km (Owerri – Omerelu Segment) in Imo State; dualization of the Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway – Obehia – Azumuni – Ukanafun (50Km) Road in Abia/Akwa Ibom States, Section I: Obehia Junction – Akwete (Ch0+000 – Ch 20+000) and Section II: Akwete – Ukanafun (Ch20+000 – Ch 50+000);Construction of Ogriagbene – Torugbene Road 15.2Km in Bomadi LGA, Delta State; and construction of Onne Free Zone – Nchia – Afam – Imo River Road (31.6Km) in Eleme LGA, Rivers State.
On his part, the Minister for State, Rwgional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu said efforts have been made to evaluate and ascertain projects for betterment of the people.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the aim of the 2025 ministerial press briefing is to keep Nigerians abreast of government policies and programmes.
“This is one of the efforts of the Bola Tinubu’s administration to ensure that Nigerians are always informed accurately, honestly, as transparently as possible about all programs and policies of government.”
